Collapsible life-boat.



A. J. KOLANKO. I GOLLAPSI'BLE LIFE BOAT.

APPLIOATIdN FILED MAR. 17, 1913.

Patented Oct. 21,1913.

Z z nesses. In we mior; 9 Le W flrfloni eZ' Zzzs fiigiarzze UNITED SAES ANTON]: J'. KOLANKO, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COLLAPSIBLE LIFE-BOAT.

its; 291.

Application filed March 17, 1-9-13. Serial No. 75%,833.

To all whom 2'15 may concern: 1 Be it known that I,

of the city of Chicago, county" of Cook,-and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Life-Boats, of whiclithe following is aspecification;

My'invention' relates tobo-ats and more;

specifically to that class thereof designed for use especially as lifeboat's.

The object of 'my lnvention is the production of boat-as mentioned Which-will be of" a collapsible nature so, that, when not in use, the same may be folded into compact form for storage in a limited space.

A further object is the production of a boat as mentioned which may be readily and expeditiously folded or unfolded, and which when in unfolded or distended" condition will be adapted to effectually serve the purpose for which the same is intended.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in view my-invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed. I

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a boat embodying my invention, the same being shown in distended condition, Fig. 2 is a central section of'the boat in collapsed or folded condition, illustrated partially diagrammatically, Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section through one of the pivots which connect the ribs of the foldable frame of the boat, and Fig. i is a slightly enlarged detail section.

The preferred form of construction as illustrated in the drawing comprises a foldablc frame consisting of a plurality of substantially, U-shaped metallic ribs 1, 2, 3, t and said ribs being pivotally connected at their ends by pivot pins 6 so as to permit of said ribs being swung freely as will be readily understood. Said ribs are of graduated size, so as to permit of the same being fi'hutii together in coplanar relation, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

To the frame thus formed is secured the collapsible body 7 of the boat which is formed preferably of a suitable, durable water-Woof cloth or fabric, the same being suitably secured as by cement to the bight ANTONI- J. KoLAruio, a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident portionsof' said ribs. The arrangement is such, as will be observed, that, when the fra'meof the boat is unfolded, as shown in Fig. 1', the body 7 will be drawn taut by the frame ribs to form a concave body which. is adapted to effectually serve as a life-boat.

In order to prevent capsi-zing the bight or uter portions of the ribs 3, 4, d 5 i are positioned at the under side of the boat, when -in operative condition, are of increased thickness, the increasing" oft the thickness of said ribs at these points providing ballast, as will be readily understood. 1

In order to releasably lock the frame of the boat in unfolded condition, ho'usings'S are provided which are secured to the" outer sides of the extended ends of the rib 1. Slidably mounted in each of the housings 8 is a spring pressed. latch 9" the inner end. of

which passesthrough" an opening 10 formedin the corresponding" end. of the rib 1, the

beveled inner end. ofthe latches 9 beingadapted to engag corresponding slot-s ll provided in the ends of the rib 2- when the latter is arranged inalinement' with the rib '1, as shown in the several views. The inner ends ofthe latches 9 being beveled or in-- clined as shown=,. i-nthe unfolding of the boat, when theribs 1' and 2 reach their operativepositions said latches will automatically drop into engagement'with the slots;

11 and thus automatically lock the boat in operative position. Said' latches are, how

:ever, provided with exteriorly projecting handles 12 through the medium of whichthe same may be moved'outwardly in order to unlock the ribs to permit of folding of the boat together. i

In order to permit of ready folding of the body 7 when the frame ribs are swung to gether, as shown in Fig. 2, it has been found that said body must be loosened at the pivotal points of the frame to permit of thedrawing of the body slightly downwardly or toward. the bights of said ribs. With this is view, the body .7 adjacent the pivots of the frame is not secured to the ribs, balland-socket fastenings being provided for re lcasably securing'said body at the pivotal points. The socket members 13 are fastened to the body at the pivotal points, said socket members being adapted to releasably engage balls 14 which are formed at the outer ends of the pivot pins 6.

In order to facilitate folding or unfolding of. the ribs of the frame, handles 15 are provided at the outer sides of the bight portions of the ribs 1, 2, 3 and. i. With this provision it will be seen, that the manual folding or unfolding of the boat may be effected with ease and expedition.

A life boat of th' durable and economical inconstruction, the same may be readily and expeditiously unfolded for use, and when not in usethesame may 'as readily and easily be folded together for storage; the same is adapted to ride smoothly in the water and in use will-be found adapted to effectually serve the pur-- pose for which the same is intended;

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention .int'o efiect, this iscapable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish .te; be limited to the precise details of construction set M forth, but

- desire to avail myself OfSllChvariations and modificationsas' lsrome Within thescope of the appended claims.

Having described claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A boat comprising a collapsible body; a plurality of pivotally connected substantially U'-shaped ribs for holding said body in distended condition; and means for releasably locking said ribs, in operative position, said ribs, when released, being adapted to be folded into coplanar position, substantially as described.

2. A boat comprising .a collapsible body; a plurality of pivotally connected substantially U-shaped ribs for holding said body in distended condition; and means for releasably locking said ribs in operative posi- Gopiea of thii p tent may construction set forth is my invention whatl" scribed.

operative position, "substantially "as .de-

a. plurality of pivotally connected" substantially' U-shapedribs--itor holding saidbody in distended conditionilt andmeans for releasably locking saidribsfinl'operative-post tion, said ribs, 'whelireleased, sing adapted releasably connected' to said ribs points,- Substantially as :de-

at; said pivotal scribed.

to be folded into coplanar, posltiony said. .body bei 5. A hammering me nt body; a. plurality of pivotally connected: substantially U-shaped ribs/"for holding said body in distended condition; means for releasably locking said ribs inoperative osition, said ribs, when released, being ad folded into coplanar position; and ball-andapted to be.

socket clasp's releasably connecting-said. body to said ribs at said tially as described;

pivotal points, substanname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. ANTONI J. K OLA-NKQ, 'Witnesses:. i

Joanna R. H. Pomp HEL N F.

.inefl for five cents each, by addressing; the fiommiaatonei' 'of Enteritis.

Washington, D. 43.,"

In testimony whereof I have signed my i r 43A boat comprising ll p ibl body; a. 

